madlithuanian

The downward spiral happened when Mike Borwn got injured... I was at the game. You could literally see the team's energy drop from that point on.

Amen!

I'm tempted to go after him...

I'm sure egos got in the way... They are always in the way to some degree. I think even more so for a team that went to the SB. And they probalby all thought they were "all that" still after losing it. I've got to think Briggs and Harris, as many have mentioned, were parties to that. Also, could be Alex Brown. But, hopefully they all can put it past them and realize that the greater good is to win a SB...

Goo board... I'm pretty much in agreement, although I'd probably flip flop Johnson and Woodson. But honestly, all those guys are a risk and also I wouldn't mind seeing any of them in a Bears uni. Here's hoping that the one this is in a Bears uni is the right one!

...and I think he might be had in the 6th.

I'm not sure what I'd give up, but I wouldn't mind seening him in navy blue and burnt orange...

Well said Mongo!

nfo, you aren't reading my responses. I think you just like to read yours. 1. Yes, I liked the Olsen pick./ I wasn't creaming for it, but I was very happay and still am very happy. He is our FUTURE at the position. 2. Mr. and Mrs. Smith is a horrible movie...too much Pitt. Get the one called Gia I think...much better. 3. You are arguing semantics... I do not hate on Olsen in the least. Thinking he could possibly be injured is maybe being negative, but not hating. Please get your terminology straight. That is somehow out of the realm of discussion? If he hadn't missed a single minute, I'd say you have something there. But he DID MISS TIME FOR INJURY! History does tend to repeat itself unfortunately. Again, my reasons are numerous, and one single items does not necessarily justify the signing. It's the comination of all of them that do. Apparently you don't think so. 4. Yep, Clark will be the back-up this season regardless if he did or did not re-sign. But be re-signing, he's now the back up for more years. I like it, you don't. 5. You argue his worth MAY be lower next year than today, but there is no quaranteee of that either. 6. Strike while the iron is hot...is just an expression. And while Clark has a good year, the team did not. The deisre to play here could be waning...so since he's on board at the moment, why not sweeten the deal a bit and extend now? The Econ 101 lesson was interesting and all. And in general I agree. However, in this case, the stock rose only a grand total of a small amount...and I'm betting it doesn't go down much. You seem to think it'll plummet. I'm hedging. I also think it could rise...or more correctly, I think the Bears stock could plummet making it less desirable to attract players. 7. We can argue whether you've like the picks, signing's, trades Angelo's made all day long. I'm not a super fan of every move. But, he has kept this team in a financially good spot and hasn't been fined by the NFL for shady dealings. I call that managing the cap. Manging the team, is a different arguement. And besides, as you mentioned, this element is off-topic. ...and for the record, as far as managing, he gets a C- from me. 8. I noticed your backhand, and while it's nice we keep retaining him...it's even nicer for him if we extend him. You tend to catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Brown, Miller and Moose were "leaders". However, Brown (I'm assuming you mean Rueben) and Miller got old and hurt. You can't fault their departure. Moose played his role and outwore his welcome. I venture to say he wasn't much of a leader last season. Who really knows about lyoaty, respect,etc...it could all be a smokescreen. I think, as I mentioned, all this plays a part. How much of a part of the whole, we'll never truly know. 9. If I didn't think it worthy to discuss I would bring it up... I suppose I was just frustrated in going around in circles a bit... Sorry about that. In the end, I too want Olsen on the field more! But as you mentioned, Clark would have been here anyway...so with Clark in hand, it doesn't open any more space for Olsen. I think the problem is all on the coaching staff. And I'm not sure what can be done. I fear we will see pretty much the same this season as we saw last. But with guys signed longer, if there's a new regime, they'd be around. I guess my fear is an exodus of good players if we have another bad season...which I think is probable. I just don't trust our coaches anymore.

You must really dislike Clark... First off, you will never hook up with Jolie. While Olsen could be injured again quite probably... Anyway...I listed a chock full of reasons and possibilities that made sense for signing Clark. I did not say I expect Clark to have a Monster year. You are putting words in my explanations that aren't there. I listed about 5 or so...not putting all my eggs in the "Clark will have monster numbers" basket. It's one of many possibilities athat, I think, justifies the signing. I just plian disagree with you on this. You make fine points, but I like Clark, and I like him locked up for a few years. We aren't talking QB's here...that's a whole different Pandor'as box. We're talking about extending a good TE that's done well for us and wants to be here. I'm OK with it, while you'd prefer to wait it out. But, as Bill Murray so aptly put in "Meatballs"..."It just doesn't matter". He's signed. And I don't think either your or my methodology relating to Clark has that great an impact on this team.

Agreed!

I think logic basically dictates that if a guy is clearly worth taking, you take him. But in general, once we've got our WR, I'd rather address other needs...

Yep, we've don all that, and yes, I still want those positions. I do not think Wolfe was a good pick at the spot he was picked, and I think Benson is a bum. We need a RB. If we don't get one in FA, I want one drafted by the 4th. As with LB...Okwo and Williams have had injury issues, Briggs will probably be gone, Hunter's getting older and slower and Urlacher's not getting any less banged up and younger. It could be just me, I like LB's and think this staff can find one. Hey, if it's Dizon or something similar in the 5th or 6th, I'd be OK with that too! I just want one drafted in all honesty... I didn't say don't draft a WR high! I just didn't want 2 of them that high up!

Sounds like you're fishin'! But I'll take the bait! We could wait. Clark could also have a mega year and ask for even more loot. Olsen could be injured again, etc... And regardless, he could simply want more since he'd be a FA and could probably get more on the open market. We have some leverage now, why not strike while the iron is hot. Angel's always managed the cap rather well. I don't see this as an issue. Odds are salaries will go up in general, so signing now may end up being the same as waiting. Also, there's the loyalty issues... And yeah, no contract si guaranteed,etc. But it it a good show of faith. That just speaks well in my book. Again, as I'm mentioned, I just don't think it's that much to pay to lock him up for a while...

All valid points...but from what I read, much is about loyalty and his positive influence in the locker room. I think that probably accounts for a lot which we've not discussed. I'll be honest, I like guys that want to be and retire as a Bear... I think it also attemps to prevent the position from being a need for years to come...we're simply locked in at TE.

Yeah. It does a couple things... 1. It's not that much loot to have a great back-up 2. Olsen could be moved to WR in many sets, thus having a virtual 2 TE set 3. Tuenr could pull his head out and actually start creating plays that utlize our skills (I know, it sounds funny, but bear with me!) 4. Turner (and maybe even Lovie, etc.) could be gone next year... In the purest sense, I follow you...but I still don't think it's that much loot to keep him around. Plsen did get KO'ed for some games with injury last season. I think it's good insurance at a reasonable price.

OK, I'm sold. THe more Hester's we have, the beter!

I agree 100%. Keep Wolfe and get Hester. We need a kick-butt FB.

It all really depends on if those guys can pan out! But in all honesty, on paper, I wouldn't be happy with it. I really feel like we need a RB and LB in the mix earlier than the 5th. Much would depend on how FA still has yet to pan out though...

The move is good...I just question Turner.

Agreed. I just hope the coaching staff figures out a way to use both guys...

Point made. And I do question the calibur of competition of those 4 games...but those 4 games were certainly far better than his first 4. Part of my whole issue with him is the rampant inconsistency. He's jeckyl & hyde. i like the jeckyl, but fear when Hyde will rear his ugly face again.

Not to rain on your parade...but which fundamentals did you see improve? I'm at a loss...I saw regression.

With the exception of Eli, I'm not sure that's good company to be in...

Prohpet...that may be about the best justification I've read all day...